Method and apparatus for a covering with pocket that provides a secure fit

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the invention provide a covering with pocket that provides a secure fit, for example, for a mattress. The covering may comprise a free end that is associated with a head of the mattress and a secured end that is associated with a foot of the mattress. The secured end of the covering having a pocket that includes a lower portion to be positioned under the foot of the mattress, a left side portion to be positioned along the left side of the mattress, and a right side portion to be positioned along the right side of the mattress. The pocket includes an expandable material that spans an opening along the lower portion of the pocket. The expandable material, which includes an elastic member and/or an elastic material, may or may not extend into the left side portion or into the right side portion of the pocket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/346,587, filed on May 20, 2010, entitled “Flat bed sheet with elastically fitted bottom for use before, during and after changing and making a bed.”

The above reference application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to coverings. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a covering with pocket that provides a secure fit.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Conventional unfitted or flat bed sheets come in many dimensions and feature a variety of aesthetic themes. The conventional unfitted or flat bed sheet is typically positioned on top of a mattress and when utilized as a top sheet, it may be placed between a user's body and a top bed covering. In this arrangement, the unfitted or flat bed sheet may be tucked between the mattress and box springs. Regardless of how the conventional unfitted and flat bed sheets are tucked between the mattress and box spring, they may easily be pulled out of position, during the normal tossing and turning of a person's body when sleeping. Consequently, the conventional unfitted and flat bed sheets may become dislodged and/or become wrinkled after a relatively short period of time. Whenever this occurs, the conventional unfitted and flat bed sheets will have to be repositioned. In some situations, for example, in hospice settings, if the conventional unfitted and flat bed sheet remains dislodged and/or wrinkled for extended periods, this may result in discomfort and/or bed sores.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A method and apparatus for a covering with pocket that provides a secure fit, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a bed and a mattress with a flat bed sheet having a pocket to receive the foot of the mattress, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an underside of the flat bed sheet when removed from the mattress of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates a more detailed view of the pocket and an angled flap of the flat bed sheet of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates the flat bed sheet with the angled flap, which is illustrated in FIG. 2, lifted away to reveal further details of the pocket, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates exemplary square cuts of the flat bed sheet of FIGS. 1-4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention may be found in a method and apparatus for a covering with pocket that provides a secure fit. Certain embodiments of the invention provide a covering for a mattress. In this regard, the covering may comprise a free end that is associated with a head of the mattress and a secured end that is associated with a foot of the mattress. The secured end of the covering may comprise a pocket. The pocket comprises a lower portion to be positioned under the foot of the mattress, a left side portion to be positioned along the left side of the mattress, and a right side portion to be positioned along the right side of the mattress. The pocket may comprise an expandable material that spans an opening along the lower portion of the pocket. The expandable material may comprise an elastic member and/or an elastic material. The expandable material may or may not extend into the left side portion of the pocket and may or may not extend into the right side portion of the pocket.

A left side edge of the pocket may drape over the left side of the mattress whenever the covering overlays the mattress. A right side edge of the pocket may drape over the right side of the mattress whenever the covering overlays the mattress. The left side edge of the pocket forms an angled flap toward the foot of the mattress whenever the left side edge of the pocket drapes over the left side of the mattress. The right side edge of the pocket forms an angled flap toward the foot of the mattress whenever the right side edge drapes over the right side of the mattress.

The left side edge of the pocket, which forms the angled flap toward the foot of the mattress, whenever the left side edge drapes over the left side of the mattress, is at an angle of approximately 45° with a lower surface of the mattress. The right side edge of the pocket, which forms the angled flap toward the foot of the mattress, whenever the right side edge drapes over the right side of the mattress, is at an angle of approximately 45° with a lower surface of the mattress.

The pocket may comprise a left side dart and a right side dart. Whenever the left side edge of the pocket is draped over the left side of the mattress, the left side dart causes the left side edge of the pocket to form an angled flap, which is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to a lower surface of the mattress. Whenever the right side edge is draped over the right side of the mattress, the right side dart causes the right side edge of the pocket to form an angled flap, which is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the lower surface of the mattress. The left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket are dimensioned such that the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket are approximately aligned with a lower surface of the mattress when each of the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket drape over the corresponding left side of the mattress and the corresponding right side of the mattress, respectively. The left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket are dimensioned such that the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket extend beyond a lower surface of the mattress, when each of the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket drape over the corresponding left side of the mattress and the corresponding right side of the mattress, respectively.

For ease of discussion and illustration, the present description and claims may use various exemplary relative positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “head,” and “foot” to refer to various aspects and/or embodiments of the disclosed flat bed sheet. Such exemplary relative positional terms were chosen from the perspective of an observer lying on the bed, face down, with their head positioned toward the head of the bed. One skilled in the art should appreciate that such exemplary relative positional terms are merely presented for ease of discussion and are not intended to limit the flat bed sheet or the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a bed and a mattress with a flat bed sheet having a pocket to receive the foot of the mattress, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a bed 100 comprising a mattress 110, and box springs 130. The bed 100 may comprise a frame (not shown), which may be configured to support the box springs 130 and mattress 110. In such an arrangement or configuration, the frame may be operable as a platform that raises the box springs 130 and mattress 110 off the ground or flooring. In particular, the box springs 130 may be positioned to rest upon the frame, and the mattress 110 may rest upon the box springs 130.

The mattress 110 may have a generally rectangular cuboid shape having a head 111, a foot 112, a left side 115, a right side 116, a head side 117, and a foot side 118. The head 111 and foot 112 of the mattress 110 are formed from an upper surface 113, a lower surface 114 that is parallel to the upper surface 113. In this regard, the head 111 and foot 112 of the mattress 110 are at opposite extremities of the upper surface 113, and the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110. The right side 116 of the mattress 110 is parallel to the left side 115. The foot side 118 of the mattress 110 is parallel to the head side 117.

The upper surface 113, the lower surface 114, the left side 115, and the foot side 118 of the mattress 100 may be joined to form a left foot corner 122 comprising a vertical edge 123. The upper surface 113, the lower surface 114, the right side 116, and the foot side 118 may be joined to form a right foot corner 124 comprising a vertical edge 125. Similarly, the upper surface 113, the lower surface 114, the left side 115, and the head side 117 of the mattress 110 may be joined to form a left head corner 126 comprising a vertical edge (not shown). The upper surface 113, the lower surface 114, the right side 116, and the head side 117 may be joined to form a right head corner 128 comprising a vertical edge 129.

In one embodiment of the invention, the upper surface 113, the lower surface 114, the left side 115, the right side 116, the head side 117, and the foot side 118 may form a fabric covered casing. The fabric covered casing may be filled with deformable and/or resilient material. The upper surface 113 along with the deformable and/or resilient material may comfortably support and cushion a person lying upon the upper surface 113.

The box springs 130 may have a generally rectangular cuboid shape having an upper surface 132, a lower surface 133 parallel to the upper surface 132, a left side (not shown), a right side 135 parallel to the left side, a head side (not shown), and a foot side 137 parallel to the head side. The rectangular cuboid shape of the box springs 130 corresponds generally to the rectangular cuboid shape of the mattress 110. The upper surface 132, the lower surface 133, the left side, and the foot side 137 of the box springs 130 may be joined to form a left foot corner 142 comprising a vertical edge 143. The upper surface 132, the lower surface 133, the right side 135, and the foot side 137 of the box springs 130 may be joined to form a right foot corner 144 comprising a vertical edge 145. Similarly, the upper surface 132, the lower surface 133, the left side, and the head side may be joined to form a left head corner (not shown) comprising a vertical edge (not shown). The upper surface 132, the lower surface 133, the right side 135, and the head side may be joined to form a right head corner 148 comprising a vertical edge 149.

In one embodiment of the invention, the upper surface 132, the lower surface 133, the left side 134, the right side 135, the head side 136, and the foot side 137 may form a fabric covered casing. The fabric covered casing may be filled with a plurality of deformable and/or resilient springs and other materials. The lower surface 114 of the mattress 110 may rest upon the upper surface 132 of the box springs. The upper surface 132 along with the deformable and/or resilient springs and other materials may support and cushion the mattress 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bed 100 may further comprise one or more pillows 150, a bed skirt 160, and a flat bed sheet 200. The one or more pillows 150 may be positioned on the upper surface 113 toward the head 111 of the mattress 110. The pillows 150 may be filled with deformable and/or resilient material configured to cushion and support a person's head while lying upon the upper surface 113 of the mattress 110.

The bed skirt 160 may be positioned between the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110 and the upper surface 132 of the box springs 130. The bed skirt 160 may be sized and positioned such that edges of the bed skirt 160 drape over the left side, the right side 135, the head side, and/or the foot side 137 to substantially or completely cover such sides of the box springs 130. In some embodiments of the invention, the bed skirt 160 may be positioned and sized such that outer edges of the bed skirt 160 may drape down and touch or nearly touch the ground.

It should readily be understood that although the mattress 110 and box spring 130 are illustrated as having a rectangular cuboid shape, mattresses and/or box springs of other dimensions may be covered by a suitably provided flat bed sheet as contemplated by the various embodiments of the instant invention. For example, a triangular shaped mattress, which may be supported by a corresponding triangular shaped box spring, may be covered by a triangular shaped flat bed sheet as contemplated by the various embodiments of the instant invention.

The flat bed sheet 200 may have a generally rectangular shape. In particular, the flat bed sheet 200 may comprise a free end 202 and a secured end 204. The free end 202 of the flat bed sheet 200 may be positioned toward the head 111 of the mattress 110. The secured end 204 of the flat bed sheet 200 may be positioned toward the foot 112 of the mattress 110, which is opposite the free end 202 of the flat bed sheet 200. The free end 202 of the flat bed sheet 200 may rest upon the upper surface 113 of the mattress 110 without being secured to the mattress 110. As such, the free end 202 may permit a user to easily slip under the flat bed sheet 200 via the free end 202 and/or sides of the flat bed sheet 200.

The flat bed sheet 200 may further comprise a left side edge 206 (FIG. 2) and a right side edge 208 opposite the left side edge 206. The left side edge 206 may be configured to drape over and to cover or substantially cover the left side 115 of the mattress 110. Similarly, the right side edge 208 may be configured to drape over and to cover or substantially cover the right side 116 of the mattress 110. As explained and shown in more detail, for example in FIG. 3, the left side edge 206 and the right side edge 208 may form angled flaps 220 when such edges 206 and 208 drape over their respective sides of the mattress 110.

In various embodiments of the invention, the flat bed sheet 200 may further comprise a secured end 204 which is located opposite the free end 202. The secured end 204 may comprise a pocket 210 configured to snugly secure the flat bed sheet 200 to the mattress 110, thereby preventing the flat bed sheet 200 from becoming lose when a person laying on the bed is under the flat bed sheet 200. The pocket 210 may be further configured to cause the left side edge 206 and the right side edge 208 of the flat bed sheet 200 to form the angled flaps 220.

FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an underside of the flat bed sheet when removed from the mattress of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the flat bed sheet 200 and the pocket 210. The flat bed sheet 200 comprises the left side edge 206, the right side edge 208, and pocket 210. Moreover, FIG. 2 shows a left side portion 212, a right side portion 214, a lower portion 216, an opening 228, and an elastic member 230 of the pocket 210.

The left side portion 212 of the flat bed sheet 200 may be configured to run along the left side 115 of the mattress 110. The right side portion 214 of the flat bed sheet 200 may be configured to run along the right side 116 of the mattress 110. The lower portion 216 of the flat bed sheet 200 may be configured to slide between the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110 and the upper surface 132 of the box springs 130. The left side portion 212, the right side portion 214, and the lower portion 216 may define the opening 228 to receive the foot 112 of the mattress 110. Moreover, the left side portion 212, the right side portion 214, and the lower portion 216 of the flat bed sheet 200 may be sized such that the pocket 210 and opening 228 securely fit over the foot 112 of the mattress 110. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the left side portion 212, the right side portion 214, and the lower portion of the flat bed sheet 200 are sized to provide a pocket 210 having a thickness of approximately fourteen (14) to seventeen (17) inches to accommodate a thickness T (FIG. 3.) of the mattress 110.

The elastic member 230 of the flat bed sheet 200 may be positioned toward the front edge 222 of the opening 228. In particular, the elastic member 230 of the flat bed sheet 200 may run along the edge 222 of the lower portion 216 and may or may not extend into the left portion 212 and may or may not extend into the right portion 214 of the pocket 210. The elastic member 230 may aid in slipping the pocket 210 over the foot 112 of the mattress 110 by permitting expansion of the opening 228 to accommodate the foot of the mattress 110. The elastic member 230 may further reduce or inhibit upward movement of the flat bed sheet 200 and aid in keeping the flat bed sheet 200 in place during use of the bed 100.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates a more detailed view of the pocket and an angled flap of the flat bed sheet of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this regard, FIG. 3 provides a more detailed view of the right foot corner 124 of the mattress 110 and a corresponding portion of the flat bed sheet 200. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the mattress 110 resting on and being supported by the box spring 130, and the pocket 210 of the flat bed sheet 200 installed over the foot 112 of the mattress 110. FIG. 3 also illustrates a vertical dart 232 of the pocket 210, and an angled flap 220 of the flat bed sheet 200.

The mattress 110 may have a thickness T corresponding to the distance between the upper surface 113 and the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110. As mentioned above, the pocket 210 may be dimensioned to accommodate the thickness T of the mattress 110. Moreover, the elastic member 230 may effectively adjust a vertical dimension of the pocket 210 in order to accommodate mattresses having a range of thicknesses. Thus, a single flat bed sheet design may permit use of the flat bed sheet 200 with mattresses of different thicknesses, T.

The pocket 210 may further include a vertical dart 232 configured to align with the vertical edge 125 of the right foot corner 124. The pocket 210 may further comprise another vertical dart (not shown) configured to align with the vertical edge 123 of the left foot corner 122 in a similar manner. The vertical darts generally run between the upper surface 113 and the lower surface 114 along respective vertical edges 123, 125 when the pocket 210 is properly installed over the foot 112 of the mattress 110. Accordingly, the vertical darts may aid in properly positioning the flat bed sheet 200 on the mattress 110 and in securing the flat bed sheet 200 to the mattress 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, the right side edge 208 of the flat bed sheet 200 may form an angled flap 220 when draped over the right side 116 of the mattress 110. In particular, the right side edge 208 may form an angled flap 220 having roughly a 45° angle with respect to the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110. The roughly 45° degree angle of the angled flaps 220 may provide the appearance of what is commonly referred to as “hospital corners” at the foot 112 of the mattress 110. Thus, the pocket 210 may provide the neat appearance of hospital corners without the labor associated with achieving a similar appearance using a conventional flat bed sheet. The left side edge 206 of the flat bed sheet 200 may form an angled flap 220 in manner similar to the right side edge 208.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the right side edge 208 may drape over the right side 116 of the mattress 110 and extend substantially beyond the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110. In another embodiment of the invention the flat bed sheet 200 is sized such that the left side edge 206 and the right side edge 208 drapes over their respective edges and roughly align with the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110.

FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates the flat bed sheet with the angled flap, which is illustrated in FIG. 2, lifted away to reveal further details of the pocket, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this regard, FIG. 4 provides a more detailed view of the right foot corner 124 of the mattress 110 and a corresponding portion of the flat bed sheet 200 with the flap 220 raised. In particular, FIG. 3 shows the mattress 110 resting on, and being supported by, box springs 130, the pocket 210 of the flat bed sheet 200 installed over the foot 112 of the mattress 110, the vertical dart 232 of the pocket 210, a directional dart 260, and the angled flap 220 of the flat bed sheet 200 raised up to show the directional dart 260.

The directional dart 260 may be positioned and formed along the right side portion 214 to cause the right side edge 208 of the flat bed sheet 200 to form the angled flap 220 when the right side edge 208 drapes over, the right side 116 of the mattress 110. As shown, the directional dart 260 may run in an angle from a point 262 toward an upper end of the vertical dart 232 toward a point 264 corresponding to the front edge 222 of the opening 228. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the directional dart 260 may be positioned and formed in such a manner to cause the right side edge 208 to form the angled flap 220 having a roughly 45° angle with respect to the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110.

FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates exemplary square cuts of the flat bed sheet of FIGS. 1-4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a generally rectangular piece of fabric or other material. The rectangular piece of fabric may include edges or sides that correspond to the free end 202, the left side edge 206, the right side edge 208, and the front edge 222 of the flat bed sheet. As shown in FIG. 5, a square section 280 may be removed from each corner of the rectangular piece corresponding to the foot end of the flat bed sheet 200. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, each side 282 of square sections 280 is roughly thirteen (13) inches. The elastic member 230 may then be inserted from left to right at the bottom of the flat bed sheet 200 along the front edge 222. The sides 282 of each square cut out 280 may then be pulled together and sewn on a diagonal angle to form the pocket 210 which fits over the foot 112 of the mattress 110 and which may be tucked approximately eight inches under the mattress 110 between the mattress 110 and box springs 130.

Details of various embodiments of the flat bed sheet 200 have been described above. Such flat bed sheets 200 may overcome certain disadvantages associated with conventional flat bed sheets. For example, the pocket 210 may securely retain the flat bad sheet 200 to the foot of the mattress 110 and prevent or reduce upward movement of the flat bed sheet 200. Moreover, as described above, the pocket 210 may include darts 260 which cause edges of the flat bed sheet 200 to form angled flaps 220, thus providing the appearance of “hospital corners” without the associated labor.

Furthermore, the flat bed sheet 200 may also be easily installed by sliding the lower portion of the pocket 210 underneath the mattress 110 without the necessity of raising the mattress 110 to a substantial height. Such installation may render the flat bed sheet 200 suitable for use in homes, hospitals, hotels and the like. Moreover, despite the pocket 210, in certain embodiments of the invention, the flat bed sheet 200 may be folded relatively flat for easy packaging and storage.

While the above as been described in reference to flat bed Sheets, aspects of such flat bed sheets may be applicable to other types of bed coverings such as, for example, blankets, cushions, seats, bedspreads, bed pads, and the like. For example, such bed coverings may be implemented with a pocket similar to pocket 210 to secure such bed coverings to the mattress 110 in a similar manner. Such bed coverings may then enjoy one or more aspects of the above described flat bed sheet 200.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a covering, such as the flat bed sheet 200, with pocket that provides a secure fit for a mattress 110. The covering, such as the flat bed sheet 200, may comprise a free end 202 that is associated with a head 111 of the mattress 110 and a secured end 204 that is associated with a foot 112 of the mattress 110. The secured end 204 of the covering, such as the flat bed sheet 200, may comprise a pocket 210. The pocket 210 comprises a lower portion 216 to be positioned under the foot 112 of the mattress 112, a left side portion 212 to be positioned along the left side 115 of the mattress 110, and a right side portion 214 to be positioned along the right side 116 of the mattress 110. The pocket 210 may comprise an expandable material 230 that spans an opening 228 along the lower portion 216 of the pocket 210. The expandable material 230 may comprise an elastic member and/or an elastic material. The expandable material 230 does not extend into the left side portion 212 of the pocket 210 and does not extend into the right side portion 214 of the pocket 210.

A left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 may drape over the left side 115 of the mattress 110 whenever the covering, such as the flat bed sheet 200, overlays the mattress 110. A right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 may drape over the right side 208 of the mattress 110 whenever the covering, such as the flat bed sheet 200, overlays the mattress 110. The left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 forms an angled flap 220 toward the foot 112 of the mattress 110 whenever the left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 drapes over the left side 115 of the mattress 110. The right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 forms an angled flap 220 toward the foot 112 of the mattress 110 whenever the right side edge 208 drapes over the right side 116 of the mattress 110.

The left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 that forms the angled flap 220 toward the foot 112 of the mattress 110, whenever the left side edge 206 drapes over the left side 115 of the mattress 110, is at an angle of approximately 45° with a lower surface 114 of the mattress 110. The right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 that forms the angled flap 220 toward the foot 112 of the mattress 110, when the right side edge 208 drapes over the right side 116 of the mattress 110, is at an angle of approximately 45° with a lower surface 114 of the mattress 110.

The pocket 210 may comprise a left side dart 260 and a right side dart 260. Whenever the left side edge 206 of the pocket drapes 210 over the left side 115 of the mattress 110, the left side dart causes the left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 to form an angled flap 220, which is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to a lower surface 114 of the mattress 110. Whenever the right side edge 208 drapes over the right side 116 of the mattress 110, the right side dart 260 causes the right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 to form an angled flap 220, which is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the lower surface 114 of the mattress 110. The left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 and the right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 are dimensioned such that the left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 and the right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 are approximately aligned with a lower surface 114 of the mattress 110 when each of the left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 and the right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 drape over the corresponding left side 115 of the mattress 110 and the corresponding right side 116 of the mattress 110, respectively. In another embodiment, the left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 and the right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 are dimensioned such that the left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 and the right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 extend beyond a lower surface 114 of the mattress 110, when each of the left side edge 206 of the pocket 210 and the right side edge 208 of the pocket 210 drape over the corresponding left side 115 of the mattress 110 and the corresponding right side 116 of the mattress 110, respectively.

Various embodiments of the invention are described herein by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For clarity of illustration, exemplary elements illustrated in the figures may not necessarily be drawn to scale. In this regard, for example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements to provide clarity. Furthermore, where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that many modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be practiced in a manner other than as described above. 

1. A covering for a mattress, the covering comprising: a free end associated with a head of the mattress; and a secured end associated with a foot of the mattress, the secured end comprising a pocket, wherein: the pocket comprises a lower portion to be positioned under the foot of the mattress, a left side portion to be positioned along the left side of the mattress, and a right side portion to be positioned along the right side of the mattress; an expandable material that spans an opening along the lower portion of the pocket; a left side edge of the pocket drapes over the left side of the mattress, when the covering overlays the mattress; and a right side edge of the pocket drapes over the right side of the mattress, when the covering overlays the mattress.
 2. The covering according to claim 1, wherein: the left side edge of the pocket forms an angled flap toward the foot of the mattress when the left side edge of the pocket drapes over the left side of the mattress; and the right side edge of the pocket forms an angled flap toward the foot of the mattress when the right side edge of the pocket drapes over the right side of the mattress.
 3. The covering according to claim 2, wherein: the left side edge of the pocket that forms the angled flap toward the foot of the mattress, when the left side edge drapes over the left side of the mattress, is at an angle of approximately 45° with a lower surface of the mattress; and the right side edge of the pocket that forms the angled flap toward the foot of the mattress, when the right side edge drapes over the right side of the mattress, is at an angle of approximately 45° with a lower surface of the mattress.
 4. The covering according to claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises a left side dart and a right side dart, wherein: when the left side edge of the pocket drapes over the left side of the mattress, the left side dart causes the left side edge of the pocket to form an angled flap, which is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to a lower surface of the mattress; and when the right side edge of the pocket drapes over the right side of the mattress, the right side dart causes the right side edge of the pocket to form an angled flap, which is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the lower surface of the mattress.
 5. The covering according to 1, wherein the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket are dimensioned such that the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket are approximately aligned with a lower surface of the mattress when each of the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket drape over the corresponding left side of the mattress and the corresponding right side of the mattress, respectively.
 6. The covering according to 1, wherein, the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket are dimensioned such that the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket extend beyond a lower surface of the mattress, when each of the left side edge of the pocket and the right side edge of the pocket drape over the corresponding left side of the mattress and the corresponding right side of the mattress, respectively.
 7. The covering according to claim 1, wherein the expandable material comprises one or both of an elastic member and an elastic material.
 8. The covering according to claim 7, wherein the expandable material extend into or does not extend into the left side portion of the pocket and extend into or does not extend into the right side portion of the pocket.
 9. A covering for a mattress, the covering comprising: a free end associated with a head of the mattress; and a secured end associated with a foot of the mattress, the secured end comprising a pocket having an opening for receiving the foot of the mattress and for securing the covering to the mattress; a left side edge of the pocket drapes over the left side of the mattress when the covering is aligned upon the mattress; and a right side edge of the pocket drapes over the right side of the mattress when the covering is aligned upon the mattress, wherein: the left side edge of the pocket forms an angled flap toward the left side of the foot of the mattress, when the left side edge of the pocket drapes over the left side of the mattress; and the right side of the pocket forms an angled flap toward the right side of the foot of the mattress, when the right side of the pocket drapes over the right side of the mattress.
 10. The covering according to claim 9, wherein: the pocket comprises a lower portion to be positioned under the foot of the mattress; a left side portion to be positioned along the left side of the mattress; and a right side portion to be positioned along the right side of the mattress.
 11. The covering according to claim 10, comprising an expandable material that spans the opening along the lower portion of the pocket.
 12. The covering according to claim 11, wherein the expandable material span into or does not span into the left side portion of the pocket and span into or does not span into the right side portion of the pocket.
 13. The covering according to claim 9, wherein: the angled flap formed by the left side edge of the pocket is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to a lower surface of the mattress; and the angled flap formed by the right side edge of the pocket is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the lower surface of the mattress.
 14. The covering according to claim 9, wherein the pocket comprises: a left side dart and a right side dart, wherein: when the left side edge of the pocket drapes over the left side of the mattress, the left side dart causes the angled flap towards the left side of the foot of the mattress to be at an angle of approximate 45° with respect to the lower surface of the mattress, and when the right side edge of the pocket drapes over the right side of the mattress, a right side dart causes the angled flap towards the right side of the foot of the mattress to be at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the lower surface of the mattress.
 15. The covering according to claim 9, wherein the left side edge of the pocket extends beyond a lower surface of the mattress when the covering is properly positioned upon, the mattress; and the right side edge of the pocket extends beyond the lower surface of the mattress when the covering is properly positioned upon the mattress.
 16. The covering according to claim 8, wherein the pocket comprises contoured corners which align the covering with corresponding corners of the mattress.
 17. A method for dressing a mattress, the method comprising: laying a free end of a covering, which is associated with a head of the mattress, along a head of the mattress; and spreading a secured end of the covering, which is associated with a foot of the mattress over the foot of the mattress, the secured end of the mattress comprising a pocket having an opening for receiving the foot of the mattress, wherein the spreading comprises: securing the opening of the pocket over the foot of the mattress; draping a left side edge of the pocket over the left side of the mattress when the covering is aligned upon the mattress; and draping a right side edge of the pocket over the right side of the mattress when the covering is aligned upon the mattress, wherein: the left side edge of the pocket forms an angled flap toward the left side of the foot of the mattress, when the left side edge of the pocket is draped over the left side of the mattress; and the right side of the pocket forms an angled flap toward the right side of the foot of the mattress, when the right side of the pocket is draped over the right side of the mattress.
 18. The method according to claim 17, comprising: positioning a lower portion of the pocket under the foot of the mattress; aligning a left side portion of the pocket along the left side of the mattress; and aligning a right side portion of the pocket along the right side of the mattress.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the pocket comprises an expandable material, and the expandable material: spans the opening along the lower portion of the pocket; span into or does not span into the left side portion of the pocket; and span into or does not span into the right side portion of the pocket.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the expandable material comprises one or both of an elastic member and an elastic material. 